Early signs of labour?

[ReadytoPop6]

I am 6 days overdue.

At my last midwife appt (yesterday) I was only 1/5 engaged and 1cm dilated.

Tonight I am having crampy pains very low down, similar to bad menstrual pains. Also lower back pain and a feeling of pressure building in my bum (like needing a poo, but only for a little while then it goes back to normal - also I have done a couple of poos already today so I don’t need another! Sorry for the TMI poo chat!) The feeling comes and goes but quite frequently - every 5 mins or so.

I’m sure they’re not contractions as I expected these to start from the top and travel down to the bottom, whereas these are all really low down in my groin area.

I am also having pink/brownish discharge.

My midwife friend told me it’s likely I am feeling my cervix starting to efface and this stage can last 12 but after Googling it feels like more than that to me!

Is this the very start of labour? Trying not to get too excited as I know this stage can go on for a long time.

Also, can I take ibuprofen or paracetamol? I’m hoping to get some sleep tonight so that if we are properly in action tomorrow I am energised!

Thanks for the advice. FTM and as much as i’ve read I still don’t really know what to expect.

Sounds like it to me. Yes you can take paracetamol, take a note of what you’ve had so you keep track and tell them if you go in.

My contractions started very low down. It sounds like this is it to me! Having said that my early labour lasted 72 hours before I finally got to 4cms and was allowed some medical attention! Definitely take paracetamol and try and sleep. Also keep eating and drinking. Good luck and let us know how things progress!

Yes this definitely sounds like labour! Very much like the beginning of mine actually. I assumed my pink discharge was my 'show'. My DS was born 17 hours later. Try to keep as relaxed as possible (lots of breathing exercises), have a bath, take some paracetamol and try to sleep. Remember to eat and drink. When the time comes listen to your body and to your midwife - when she says push give it some bloody welly! You can do it xxx

Thanks everyone! Feeling quite excited but also trying to chill & relax. Almost 41 weeks so ready to meet this baby now!

Hopefully by tomorrow things will be properly in action!

How are you this morning @ReadytoPop6?

Baby arrived last night night!

Following my OP on Thursday evening things progressed quite quickly. By 1am those “cramps” were frequent contractions and after a bath and trying to chill at home, by 5am we were in the birthing suite at the hospital and I was 4cm dilated.

Waters broke around 4pm bouncing on my ball and by 5pm I was in the Birthing pool, and pushing. Didn’t manage to deliver baby in the pool but still had a long time in there relaxing and getting to 10cms.

Delivered on dry land with an hours pushing just on gas and air.

Very happy & so in love 🥰

Thanks for the replies :)

Oh wow! 😍

I so needed to see this post today! Only 3 days overdue but so fed up. This just cheered me up so much!

Congratulations and well done Mumma!!

Congratulations!

Congratulations OP!🥳

Congrats

@donttellmetwice I feel you! I think the days around my due date I was the most impatient and felt like a ticking time bomb, by 4 days over I was like “fine, this baby is late and will come when he/she wants to” and I do think the relaxing about it helped baby on its way. I also did reflexology and had a sweep - which can only have helped!

Good luck and hope your baby doesn’t keep you waiting too much longer